Archived Newsletters

The Road Ahead – The Iris Network Rehabilitation Center

Sudeep working with an orientation and mobility instructor.

Sudeep Stauble is putting his newly sharpened mobility skills to the test. His graduation from the first class of an immersion program at The Iris Network Rehabilitation Center in December was but one stop on his life’s ever-unfolding journey. But it was a very important one.

“When you grow up without sight, you don’t have the luxury of learning by watching your parents or other people,” Sudeep said. “You need to have specialized training so you can enjoy the same opportunities as everyone

A Warm Thank You from the Kilton Family

The town of Sorrento, Maine, has a population of only 274. But even when the weather is chilly, it is a place of warmth and community. Take the Kilton family, for example. Marita and her husband Buddy just celebrated their 65th anniversary. The couple has 2 daughters, 6 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren. “And we’re involved with all of them!” Marita said.

Marita is 80, and has been losing her central vision to macular degeneration for several years. Even though she’s close to her family, she doesn’t want to be dependent on anyone.

It’s been quite a winter this year, but with the melting snow come thoughts of Spring. It is a welcome change for Valla Hall. The 89-year-old enjoys her independence, and is eager to get out and walk once the snow is off the sidewalks. She enjoys walking to local stores and to get groceries. Valla had been driving until this past January. When she didn’t pass her eye test, she had to hang up her car keys. That was a hard change for her to take, but she feels luckier than most. “I get to go places with others, and my son and daughter live nearby and often take me places.”

Lovely, classic, New England towns are tucked into granite and pine forests up and down Maine’s coast. Some are quite rural and most people would be surprised to learn that fiercely independent nonagenarians with vision loss continue to live happily in them.

One such person is Mrs. Lichtman. She is the very definition of life! “I feel lucky to be living independently, at my age,” she said.

She lives with her Yorkie, Peanuts. “He’s my constant companion,” she said. “We get out a lot, and we’re well-known around town.”

Mrs. Lichtman has no vision in one eye, and diminishing vision in the other. In fact, if

Being Able to Read Again!

Bertha listens to the cues and scrolls through the language choices on her video magnifier. In addition to French and English, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, German and Dutch are available.

Leading ministries, being a wife, a grand and great-grandmother keeps 84 year old Reverend Bertha Jacqmin quite busy. She admits that she has always been very active throughout her life. When she began having difficulty with her vision, she was unsure how she would continue with all her activities.

In September 2013, Bertha visited The Iris Network’s Low Vision Clinic for an evaluation. A thorough assessment of vision in each eye was provided by Dr. A. Jan Berlin, followed

What do the Red Sox, Make Way for Ducklings, a volunteer program “Call to Care”, and the Red Hat Society have in common? One extraordinary lady named Esther O’Brien!

A native of Freeport, Mrs. O’Brien dedicated 40 years of her life to teaching young ones to read. Their favorite book, and one of hers, was Make Way for Ducklings the McCloskey classic. Reading is incredibly important for Mrs. O’Brien, not only to keep living independently, in the house across the street from the one she was born and raised in, but to continue with her hobbies and interests – the Red Sox yearbook and church historian among them!

Two visitors to the Kennebunk Free Library try out a few of the magnifying devices available through The Iris Network.

A group of home schooled students who learned braille dropped in to see the range of technology and options available at McArthur Public Library.

Bonnie Gouzie, Director of Access Technology and Employment Services, demonstrates the current JAWS technology at McArthur Public Library.

The staff from York Public Library, Kennebunk Free Library and McArthur Public Library in Biddeford, The Maine State Library and the vision rehabilitation professionals from The Iris Network teamed up to deliver three afternoons devoted to vision, reading

Out of the Box!

Ever get the latest technology gadget as a gift and leave it in the box for weeks as you tried to puzzle out the directions? Does that gadget have an accessibility feature that the company tech support can’t figure out?

The Iris Network is here to help!

On January 3, 2013 the Iris Network’s Access Technology and Employment Service (ATES, pronounced At Ease) hosted a Device Open House in our Technology Center. The goal was to help people with visual impairment or blindness get those holiday gifts out of the box and into operation “with ease”. By the sound of laughter and the number of “Wow’s”, “No kidding” and “Oh, that makes sense” heard

Please Join Us on October 13th!Bring friends, family, co-workers or come and meet new friends!Walk starts at 9:30

Technology Update

The Iris Network is delighted to have Gayle Yarnall, representing Humanware, at the 2012 White Cane Awareness Walk on October 13, 2012. Gayle will be demonstrating the Humanware Trekker Breeze, a handheld, pedestrian GPS (http://www.humanware.com/en-usa/search?keywords=trekker+breeze&go=yes) by leading a small group on a hunt to find several landmarks near the White Cane Awareness Walk route. Gayle will bring five Trekker Breeze GPS units to be used by walk participants interested in trying it first-hand. (If

Embracing Life with Vision Loss!

Amber prepares to use her hand-held lighted magnifier!

Amber Mooney, a very bright and enthusiastic South Portland resident, was diagnosed at the age of 13 with a degenerative eye disease. With support, some assistance, a positive attitude, and learning to make accommodations for some limitations, Amber completed high school and graduated from Holy Cross College in Worcester with a degree in Spanish. Wanting to make a difference and determined not to let her vision impairment stand in the way, Amber joined the Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC) after college. JVC offers women and men an opportunity to work full-time for social justice and peace. She spent

OPEN FOR BUSINESS!Paul Featherson at the computer, with instructor, Bonnie Gouzie.

Paul Featherson of Westbrook needed to re-tool himself for the job market following a long career at a major supermarket as a shelf stocker. “As my vision loss became more severe, I just could not be as fast and accurate as I wanted to be for the company.” Knowing the importance of computers in the workplace, Paul decided to acquire some new skills but he was not sure where to go. “I could not go to the local Adult Education computer classes because I could not see the screen and the teachers did not know how to help,” said Featherson.

This newsletter is dedicated in memory of Robert Crouse for his years of service to The Iris Network.

He will be remembered for his strong advocacy for people who are blind or visually impaired, his teaching skills, as well as his compassionate and innovative ways. He strongly felt that with proper training there are no limits as to what an individual facing the challenges of vision loss can achieve. He was a great leader and will be missed!

Growing Up Is All About Experience!

Jacob is a typical high school student – he loves sports, music and school dances. Like most high school students, he wanted a summer job to earn some money of his own and to get some work experience for the future. In this tough economy, many young people are having a hard time finding work, particularly students like Jacob who have total blindness.

Judy Wolfe, a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor at the Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired (DBVI), knew Jacob needed some assistance in finding a summer job. Judy referred him to the Job Training Project at The Iris Network. "Summer jobs are so important in helping us all learn what we like... Continue Reading

Back to Work!

Charlene Ouellet wanted to get her life on track and get back to work!

Charlene was experiencing dual sensory loss, an impairment of both vision and hearing. She received vision rehabilitation therapy and orientation and mobility training from The Iris Network and our partners at Maine's Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired, but knew she needed more. At her request, Charlene took part in rehabilitation training at the Helen Keller National Center in Sands Point, New York, recognized throughout the world as the best place to learn to live with dual sensory impairment. The Iris Network helped her to prepare for this rigorous program and, upon her return, introduced... Continue Reading

Bangor Savings Bank Gives Back to Maine Communities

Cast your vote for The Iris Network!

Bangor Savings Bank Foundation will be awarding $100,000 to 68 local non-profit organizations and they are asking the community to help decide how to best distribute the funds. The charitable organization getting the most votes will receive a $5,000 grant. The Iris Network has been included in the Bangor Savings Community Matters More poll and we ask that you consider casting your ballot for The Iris Network. As we plan ahead to better serve our consumers, this gift would assist us greatly in supporting our efforts to meet the needs of those we help, providing every opportunity to improve their... Continue Reading